Turn-table.



F. LUNA.

TURN TABLE. APPLICATION FILED IUNE. |918. 1,291,957. Patented 1311.211919.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR iwf/ww jaw/ lITNESWESo I (gli. BY 4%/ ATTORNEY mr mums uns: ou. rnmumo.. vumnwruu. n c

F. LUNA.

TURN TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED IuNE 4. I9Ia=.

1 ,29 1,957, Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Z f3 7 19 5151i ZZ j;

INVENTOR ATTOR N EY FRANCISCO LUNA, OF SANTIAGO, CUBA.

TURN-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

'Patented Jan. 21, 1919.

Application led .Tune 4, 1918. Serial No. 238,205.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANCISCO LUNA, a citizen of Cuba, residing at Santiago, Cuba, have invented certa-in new and useful Improvements in Turn-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a locomotive engine turn table, which may be automatically operated by the weight of the engine and tender.

- The invention also has for its object to provide a turn table which is counter-balanced, the latter being overcome by the superior weight of the engine and tender, and which excess of weight automatically operates the turn table to bring the locomotive into the required position, and after the locomotive have passed from off the turn table, the latter automatically returns to normal position by the action of the counter-balancing means.

A further purpose of the invention is the provision of a turn table which is mounted upon inclined ways so that upon the descent of the table, under the weight of the locomotive, the table has imparted thereto a simultaneous rota-ry movement, whereby the locomotive is brought into position to register with a side track, switch, or branch.

The invention furthermore has 'for its object to provide a locomotive engine turn table of the character aforesaid, which involves a comparatively simple construction, which embodies a minimum number of parts, and which in operation is automatic and reliable.

The drawing illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions, various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature ofthe invention as claimed hereinafter.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a locomotive engine turn table embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a detail View showing a buffer for relieving the shock or impact when the turn table reaches the limit of its movement in either direction.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The turn table as usual is disposed at thc top of the pit or excavation formed in the ground. As indicated most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4: the pit or excavation is lined with concrete or like material 1. The bottom of the concrete base, or foundation 1, is slightly elevated and receives a journal 2 which is provided at its lower-end with an outer supporting flange 3. A depression f1 surrounds the centrally disposed raised portion and constitutes a gutter for collecting water and carrying off the same to a convenient point of discharge. The foundation or base 1, of concrete, is of bowl-shape and is provided near the top of its walls with ledges or shoulders 5 which receive supporting rails 6. The rails 6 are oppositely disposed and are reversely inclined, thereby serving to effect a vertical movement of the turn table simultaneously with its rotation.

The turn table is indicated at 7 and is of circular form. A track section 8 is disposed upon the top of the turn table and occupies a diametrical position so as to equalize the weight of the locomotive and tender upon the turn table, a socket 9 depends centrally from the turn table, and receives the journal 2, thereby centralizing the turn table with reference to the pit or excavation. The socket 9 is strengthened by radial braces 10, a flange 11 depends from the outer portion of the turn table and serves to reinforce the same and also as means for receiving flanged wheels 12, by means of which the turn table is supported upon the rails 6. The flanged wheels 12 coact with the socket 9 and journal 2 to centralize the turn table and maintain it in a given position. The rails 6 are disposed concentric with the axis of the turn table and by reason of their reverse inclination it is obvious that the turn table receives a Combined vertical and rotary movement both 'when lowering and when rising.

The vturn table is held elevated and in normal position by counter balancing means, the latter consisting of weights 13 and cables 14, the latter being attached at one end to the weights and at the opposite end to the turn table. Guide pulleys 15 give proper direction to the cables or like flexible connections 14e and other guide pulleys 1G also coact with the cables 14 to give' proper direction thereto. The weights 13 are disposed to operate in openings 16 formed in the ground exterior to and adjacent the pit or excavation which receives the concrete base or foundation 1. The vertically disposed openings 17 are suitably lined and the guide pulleys 15 are located at the upper ends thereof, and the guide pulleys 16 are disposed intermediate the vertical openings 17 and the pit or excavation so as to give proper direction to the cables.

The turn table is held in normal position by suitable locking means, thereby preventing premature operation of the turn table when the locomotive passes thereon. As shown the locking means embodies oppositely disposed locking bolts 18 and a lever 19, the latter extending through an open ing in the turn table and being disposed at one side of the track section 8. The locking bolts 18 are suitably mounted on the turn table preferably by means of the braces 10 and rail 11 as indicated most clearly in Fig. 3. The upper ends of the locking bolts 18 are adapted to enter openings formed in the concrete base or foundation 1.

Armain track 20 is adapted to normally register with the track section 8. A track 21 represents a branch, siding or shunt upon which the locomotive is to be receivedv after leaving the main track 20. rIhe branch 21 is at a lower level than the main track 20. The track section 8 is adapted to register with the branch 21 as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. l. Vhen the turn table reaches the limit of its movement in each ydirection the impact or shock of the stop means is relieved and compensated for by a buffer 22 substantially as indicated in Fig. 5, the same being suitably located to be engaged by the moving part as the turn table comes to rest at the limit of its movement. The buffer may be of any construction and, as shown, consists of a spring actuated frame yequipped an impact roller.

In the operation of the invention the turn table 7 normally occupiesan elevated position with its track section 8 in line with the main track 2O so that a locomotive engine may pass from the main track on to the track section 8 of the turn table. After the locomotive has been properly positioned upon the turn table the latter is released by manipulating the hand lever 19 which withdraws the locking bolts 18 from engagement with the base or foundation. The Weight of the locomotive causes the turn table to Copies of this patent may be obtained for descend and to turn upon the oppositely inclined rails 6. During the descent a simultaneous rotation of the turn table the counter balancing weights 13 rise, and when the turn table reaches a position so as to bring the track section 8 in registry .with the branch 21 the further movement of the turn vtable is arrested, and if desired the turn table may be locked inV this position by means of the locking bolts 18, as will'be readily understood. After the locomotive has passed from the turnl table on to the branch 21, and it being assumed that the turn table is free to move, the same rises by the combined action of the counter balancing weights 13, and as the turn table rises it at the same time has a rotary movement imparted thereto and reversely of that received when the turn table is descending, and when the turn table reaches they limit of its upward movement the track section 8 is in registry with the main track 20 and the turn table is made` secure by the locking bolts 18 in the manner set forth.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may be considered the preferred, or approved, form of my invention. It is to be understood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts, materials, dimensions, et cetera, as may prove expedient and vfall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire-to secure by Letters, Patent is In combination a bowlshaped base, a journal centrally disposed on the bottom of the base, reversely inclined rails at opposite sides of the base, 'a turn table, a socket de pending centrally from the turn table and coacting with the said journal, wheels mounted upon the turn table and adapted to travel upon the reversely inclined rails, locking means for securing the turn table in adjusted position, counter balancing means for the turn table, a track section mounted upon the turn table, a main track normally in registry with the track section of the turn table, and a branch track in a lower plane than the main track and adapted to register with the track section of the turn table when the latter is in lowered position.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses. FRANCISCO LUNA. Witnesses:

AGArrro FERRIN GOMEZ, OTAvIo PRADO.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents.

Washington, D. C. 

